“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Lk.24:27)
John the Apostle gloriously summarized how Jesus is the centerpiece to the entire history of redemption: “he is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”
Then John exploded in unfettered worship and high praise: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen” (Rev.1:4-6)
Lord Jesus, Hallelujah x’s 10,000… the peace we crave, the centering we need, the hope we have isn’t a something but a Someone. It is you, Jesus. As John joyfully chronicled in the first paragraphs of the Book of Revelation:
You are he “faithful witness”—the point, focus, and hero of the entire Bible—the emphatic “Yes!” to every promise God has made (2Cor.1:20). You have never lied nor exaggerated.
You are he “firstborn from the dead”—the archetype and end to every sacrifice in Israel’s worship; our resurrected, perfect “righteousness, holiness, redemption” (1 Cor.1:30); our wonderful, merciful great High Priest—ever-living to care, pray, and advocate for us.
You are the “ruler of the kings of the earth”—and of everything else. There isn’t a nanosecond, square inch in the cosmos, or sentence in our stories you don’t claim as yours. You’ve never “tried” to do anything; you do all you please.
Most glorious and grace-filled Jesus, until you return to finish making all things new and beautiful—free us to live and love to your glory. Expel our fears by your love, dazzle our hearts with your beauty, and fill our calendars with your will. So very, Very, VERY Amen.
